Method and apparatus for packaging women&#39;s stockings



March 1, 1966 H. E. SPOHR 3,237,363

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING WOMEN'S STOCKINGS Filed Nov. 23, 1962 H/uvs E. SPOHI'? Arron/v57 United States Patent 3,237,363 METHOD AND APPARATUS FQR PACKAGING WOMENS STOCKINGS Hans E. Spohr, Muhlenweg (Rhine), Westphalia, Germany, assignor t0 Schulte & Dieckhoif, Horstmar im Westphalia, Bezirk Munster, Germany, a firm Filed Nov. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 239,435 Claims priority, application Germany Nov. 25, 1961, Sch 30,610 2 Claims. (Cl. 5321) This invention relates to a method of packing ladies stockings and also to apparatus for carrying out this method.

Stockings have hitherto always been sold in pairs, each pair of stockings usually being packed in a transparent plastic bag and often folded around a stifi sheet in order to offer the stockings in a more pleasing manner and in order to maintain the bag flat so as better to be able to stack the bags. It has also already been proposed to pack three stockings of the same type in such a flat bag, the third stocking then serving as a spare stocking if one stocking of the pair is damaged. Furthermore, it is known to market tightly folded stockings in pairs in small cardboard cartons, which have approximately the size and shape of a cigarette packet.

However, these said packs have numerous disadvantages, some of which arise with the packing operation itself, i.e. in the factory, and some of which become apparent in the subsequent operation of selling and offering the goods. Due to climatic influences, such as air humidity and temperature, and according to the yarn which is used, the separate stockings are produced in diiferent lengths, despite most accurate settings of the knitting machines, and must be sorted by hand into suitable lengths. At this sorting operation, the separate stockings of the same foot size, tested for defects by the checker, are suitably paired by the pairer. This pairing is always carried out by the pairer extracting one stocking from a pack of separate stockings and comparing this with a number of, e.g. about 8 to 12, stockings of different lengths. For example, for stockings of size 8 /2, the individual stockings have a length from 78 to 85 cm. and these must then be matched in pairs with a tolerance between the two stockings of a pair of the order of 10 to mm. When the pairer has found a stocking of the same length, within the tolerance, for the stocking originally taken from the pack, these two stockings are passed on to the packer, who attends to the packing of the pair in a suitable pack. This operation is quite time consuming and uneconomic and involves errors which usually occur when an operation is not carried out mechanically. It is possible for an initial mechanical sorting to be carried out, this providing stockings with a sufficiently close agreement in length for stockings known as seconds. However, the stockings so sorted may have a difference in length of as much as 3 cm, so that the tedious pairing or matching has still to be carried out by the pairer in order for example to reduce the tolerances to the low figure, for example 10 mm. necessary for so-called perfect stocking.

Considered from the selling and also from the economic point of view, the marketing of stockings in pairs is not desirable, since, in the event of damage to only one stocking, the other can usually no longer be used and remains useless as a single stocking. Even when it is ice possible to supplement this single stocking by another pair and thus use it as before, the wearer is still often not in a position to purchase such a spare pair just at the time it is wanted, that is to say, for example after business hours. Because of the size of the flat packs, sale by automatic machines is possible only using either uneconomical chamber-type automatic machines having a relatively large chamber for reception of the goods and openable from outside after insertion of a coin or special flat-bag automatic machines, which are very susceptible to breakdown. Further, automatic sale of pairs of stockings in small packets has proved unsuccessful because the prices are too high or are for odd amounts, such as cannot be readily regulated by insertion of a coin into automatic machines, unless expensive automatic machines which give change are used. Moreover, it has until now also still not been possible for the packing operation, when packing two stockings forming a pair, to be carried out economically with extremely small packs, even mechanically. Repeated folding of the stockings by hand to provide a size of package of about 6 x 4 cm. which would be necessary is extremely time-wasting and frequently results in the stockings being damaged.

According to the present invention, we provide a method of packing stockings, which is more especially suitable for the packing of individual stockings, but now also makes it possible for the packing in pairs in extremely small packs to be carried out economically and practically.

According to this invention, there is provided a method of packing ladies stockings in very small packs, wherein one or more stockings is or are placed in a guide tray which tapers towards one end with or each toe pointing towards such end, the toe portion or portions are then engaged on a rotatable winding bar, the axis of rotation of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stockings on the tray, the winding bar is thereafter rotated until the full stocking length has been wound thereon, and the rolled stocking is finally enclosed in a wrapping.

It is particularly advantageous if a foil bag and/or a cardboard carton is fitted over the rolled stocking or stockings which is still on the winding bar, the unit so formed being drawn off the winding bar and the very small pack thus obtained being sealed.

The packing operation can furthermore be facilitated by the longitudinal folding of the upper part of the stocking or pair of stockings being effected in the guide tray and advantageously supported by one or two guide stirrups. M I

The apparatus proposed for carrying out the process according to the invention comprises a guide tray of a length approximately that of a ladys stocking and having a channel cross-section tapering towards the front, the side walls of the tray in the narrower forward region being gradually brought together at the upper wall edges to form a tunnel, and a rotatable winding bar arranged at a small distance in front of the narrower end of the tray, the axis of rotation of such bar being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tray.

The winding bar is advantageously constructed as a flat plate and is slotted for receiving the toe or toes of a stocking or stockings.

Furthermore, the winding bar may be rotated from a motor operated by a switch lever which is advantageously pedal actuated.

Preferably, a pressure plate, advantageously formed of a smooth plastics material, is arranged parallel to the winding bar substantially at a distance from the latter equal to the radius of a wound stocking roll. Further, one or two clamping stirrups under spring tension may be arranged longitudinally above the guide tray.

In order that this invention may more readily be understood, one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention, and its method of use will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a perspective view of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus comprises a base plate 1, on which is fixed a clamping bridge 2, which supports a guide tray 3, of channel cross-section and open at each end. The forward end 4, of the guide tray, i.e. the end nearer the base plate 1, tapers forwardly, the side walls of the tray being bent together upwardly at this forward end to form a tunnel. The opening at this end of the tray is the discharge opening thereof. The rear end 5, of the guide tray 3, is broader and corresponds substantially to the largest width of the stocking. The guide tray itself can be secured by a clamping bridge 11, to a work-table. Guide stirrups, not shown, extend approximately longitudinally of the tray. A winding bar 6, of flat form, is arranged at a suitable distance in front of the discharge opening of the guide tray, the bar 6, being slotted for better accommodating the stocking. The width of the winding bar, which is about 3 mm. thick, is such that the finally wound stocking fits into a very small pack. The Winding bar 6, is connected by means of a shaft 7, to a pulley 8, which is driven from a motor (not shown) by a V-belt 9. At a suitable distance from the winding bar 6, there is also provided a pressure plate 10, arranged so that a satisfactorily rolled stocking is obtained. All parts contacted by the stockings are advantageously made of a smooth plastic material and have rounded edges so that the delicate fabric of the stocking is not damaged.

The use of the apparatus is as follows:

On a suitable surface associated with the apparatus are arranged one or more pairs of stockings disposed one on top of the other with the double welts behind the end 5 of the tray and the feet behind the base plate 1. The operator then takes up a pair of stockings together and lays this with both hands flat on the guide tray. The operator then draws the pair with her right hand through the discharge opening of the guide tray and pushes the toes into the slot of the winding bar. The operator keeps her left hand free in order to be able, when required, to correct the positioning of the remaining length of the stocking. A foot switch is actuated to operate the motor or clutch in the pulley drive provided by pulley 8 and belt 9 and the winding bar is set in movement, rotating counter-clockwise as seen in the drawing. The operator prevents the toes of the stockings slipping out of the slot of the winding bar with her right hand. The stockings are then drawn through the discharge opening of the guide tray by the rolling of the stockings on the winding bar. The shape of the guide tray ensures that the edges of the pair of stockings are so folded longitudinally that the length drawn from the discharge opening has and maintains approximately a width of 6 cm. There is thus formed on the winding bar a stocking roll of regular shape and a length of about 6 cm. with an oval cross-section, of approximately 4 cm. as the largest diameter. Reactuation of the foot switch, stops rotation of the winding bar. The pressure plate 10 holds the end of the pair of stockings and prevents the stocking roll from unwinding. The operator then grips the mouth of a foil bag with the thumbs and index fingers of both hands and, with the winding bar disposed with its plane Vertical, pushes with the bag mouth over the stocking roll and pressure plate 10. Thereafter, the open end of a folded carton is pushed over the filled bag. The operator now uses her right hand to withdraw the folded carton with its contents from the Winding he inde and m d e fing bearin on the 4 winding bar and stripping off the stocking roll. The two ends of the folded carton are then closed with both hands. Thereafter, the apparatus is free for the next winding operation.

Using this apparatus, it is possible Without any difficulty for paired stockings of 20 denier, 30 denier and Helanca, as Well as any type of separate stockings, to be packed. For the packing, it is possible to use a polyethylene bag of a size 97 x 75 mm. and having two flaps of a length of 17 mm. on the narrow side, and also a suitable folded carton.

Using the method according to the invention, it is now possible for stockings to be packed in pairs, quickly and gently and economically in very small packs of a size suitable for conventional automatic vending machines.

The proposal made herein for the production of an individual pack containing only a single stocking, by the mechanical rolling of a single stocking and the selling thereof in an individual pack, appears at first sight to be unusual, but it obviates the aforementioned disadvantages, both in connection with the sorting out of the stockings in the factory and also in the offering thereof for sale. The tedious, time-wasting and therefore costly pairing of the stockings in the factory is dispensed with, so that the price for two separate stockings may be lower than the price for a pair of stockings. With such a packing of separate stockings, it is also possible to dispense with the hand-sorting which formerly was necessary and it is even possible, with automatic packing machines for the tested stocking to be determined as regards its length, and for it to be folded and/ or rolled, to be covered if required with a transparent foil and thereafter packed in a small folding or sliding carton, on which the length of the separate stockings has previously been marked.

With the packing arrangement according to the invention, it is left to the purchaser Whether and at What time she buys the second spare stocking When one stocking is damaged. In this connection, there is also an advantage which is provided by the packing in small cardboard or plastic cartons. Such packs, which are of the size of cigaret cartons, can without any difiiculty be offered for sale in the conventional automatic machines which are of the kind having a dropping chute and which are already in general use. Therefore, the purchaser is no longer obliged, as before, to keep to the general shopping hours, but is able to extract from the automatic machine a single spare stocking or even two similar spare stockings at any place where automatic machines are erected, such as for example at railway stations, and other public places. By the sale of a single stocking, it is also possible for the price to be more easily adapted to the automatic machines.

I claim:

1. The method of automatically rolling and folding womens stockings to form small, compact packs suitable for dispensing in coin-operated automatic dispensers which includes providing a guide tray of channel shaped cross section, the rear end of the tray having a width corresponding to the Widest flat width of the stocking, the width of the tray at its forward end corresponding to the desired length of the package, laying a stocking in the tray, engaging the toe of said stocking in a winding bar positioned transversely adjacent the lower end of said tray, rotating the Winding bar and thereby simultaneously drawing the stocking out of the tray and folding the margins of the stocking inwardly to produce a rolled stocking folded to the package length, drawing a flexible bag over the rolled stocking and bar, placing a tubular carton over the bag and withdrawing the stocking, bag, and carton as a package unit from the winding bar.

2. An apparatus for winding stockings into compact packs suitable for coin-operated dispensing machines which includes a guide tray having a width at its outer end approximately equalling the maximum fiat width of t e Stocking, and having a length approximately equal tg that of the stocking, the said tray having a channel-shaped cross-section gradually tapering toward its front end, the side walls of the tray at the narrower forward region being gradually brought together at the upper wall edges to form a tunnel having an end opening the horizontal dimension of which equals approximately the desired length of the pack, a rotatable flat winding bar positioned adjacent said tunnel opening and provided with a V-slot extending inwardly from the outer end and extending along the axis of said bar to engage the toe of a stocking projected through said opening, the said bar having its rotational axis transverse and parallel to the floor of said tray, means to rotate the bar, and a pressure plate arranged to bear on the exterior surface of the wound stocking whereby 6 stockings wound on said bar will be compacted into a helix and longitudinally infolded to a package width much narrower than the fiat width of the stocking.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,417,752 5/1922 Lindgren 53-21 2,603,926 7/ 1952 Adams 53-118 3,027,108 3/ 1962 Russo et al 24254 10 3,113,410 12/1964 Pottle 53-119 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

A. E. F OURNIER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY ROLLING AND FOLDING WOMEN''S STOCKINGS TO FORM SMALL, COMPACT PACKS SUITABLE FOR DISPENSING IN COIN-OPERATED AUTOMATIC DISPENSERS WHICH INCLUDES PROVIDING A GUIDE TRAY OF CHANNEL SHAPED CROSS SECTION, THE REAR END OF THE TRAY HAVING A WIDTH CORRESPONDING TO THE WIDEST FLAT WIDTH OF THE STOCKING, THE WIDTH OF THE TRAY AT ITS FORWARD END CORRESPONDING TO THE DESIRED LENGTH OF THE PACKAGE, LAYING A STOCKING IN THE TRAY, ENGAGING THE TOE OF SAID STOCKING IN A WINDING BAR POSITIONED TRANSVERSELY ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF SAID TRAY, ROTATING THE WINDING BAR AND THEREBY SIMULTANEOUSLY DRAWING THE STOCKING OUT OF THE TRAY AND FOLDING THE MARGINS OF THE STOCKING INWARDLY TO PRODUCE A ROLLED STOCKING FOLDED TO BE PACKAGE LENGTH, DRAWING A FLEXIBLE BAG OVER THE ROLLER STOCKING AND BAR, PLACING A TUBULAR CARTON OVER THE BAG AND WITHDRAWING THE STOCKING, BAG, AND CARTON AS A PACKAGE UNIT FROM THE WINDING BAR. 